Co-Founder in Residence, CEO, Enteric Methane

Marble

Marble

Product, People & HR, Sales & Business Development, Operations · Full-time
Netherlands · France
Posted on Nov 14, 2024

About Marble

Marble is a climate tech venture studio. Our north star is to erase billions of tons from annual greenhouse gas emissions and create a thriving future.

We partner with scientists, engineers and operators to create new deep tech companies that solve hard climate problems — slash emissions, remove carbon from the atmosphere, and cool the planet — while reshaping multi-billion $ industries.

We're proud to be backed by leading climate investors across Europe and the US.

Solving Livestock Methane

Methane has a global warming potential 83 times higher than CO2 on a 20 year period, but remains only 12 years in the atmosphere. This makes rapid methane abatement the biggest opportunity to avoid near-term temperature thresholds, and to buy more time for longer term CO2 reductions to achieve net zero emissions in time.

Enteric methane from livestock accounts for 32% of global anthropogenic methane emissions, with cattle being the primary source. This represents the largest single methane source category that humans can directly influence.

Current solutions to this problem have low and short-lived efficacy, do not provide significant animal performance gains, and remain strictly limited to cows in confinement. Today no solution in sight for range cattle, which make up over 80% of the 1.5 billion cows worldwide.

Moreover, leading solutions face uncertainty on their health and environmental safety, adding to the risk of regulatory approval and farmer adoption.

The Opportunity

We have developed a novel approach which overcomes the key challenges in enteric methane reduction: sustained high efficacy levels, significant animal productivity gains in milk yield or weight gain, in any cow, anywhere, with safe ingredients.

Taking inspiration from techniques proven in the pharmaceutical industry, we can target both confined and grazing production systems, at a floor price below $0.10 / cow / day before any animal performance gains are factored in.

Our vision is to transform livestock farming by 2035 with a target of over 100 million cows impacted and 250 Megatons CO₂ reduction, and a potential to address a major share of the global cattle population by 2050. All while ensuring enhanced animal productivity and health, rapid farm adoption, and increased profitability for farmers and ranchers.

We have de-risked all fundamental technical aspects, secured key IP across strategic locations and assembled a team with past experience building together in a startup.

We are looking for a CEO and Co-Founder. Your role will be broad, across product, sales, partnerships, strategy, operations, fundraising (venture capital and non-dilutive), team building, supplier management, regulatory approval, and stakeholder engagement.

You will join a stellar CSO / CTO duo with a combined 40 years of applied research experience in the fields of mammalian microbiome, enteric methane mitigation, animal science and drug development along with prior SME biotech experience.

➡️ Apply Here

Requirements

We are looking for an entrepreneurial individual with a passion for enteric methane mitigation, animal agriculture, and a driving motivation to mitigate climate change.

Must have: demonstrated experience and/or potential in the CEO type responsibilities listed above, especially related to the commercialisation in biotech or agtech. A scientific background or literacy is strongly preferable to effectively lead the company during its early R&D phase.

Ideal candidates will have played a key role in building and scaling science based companies, and/or a strong industry experience in the food and agriculture value chain.

We’re primarily looking for someone in Europe, preferably in France or the Netherlands (willingness to travel)

Example of relevant backgrounds:

  • Startup founder / operator / investor - biotech, AgTech, chemistry, climate tech
  • OR Animal agriculture industry specialist - with experience working with cattle farmers and ranchers, farmer co-ops, animal feed, feed additive and health companies, delivery technologies (e.g. boluses)
  • OR Food industry specialist - ideally with experience in the dairy or beef value chain, and how sector executives approach sustainability

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet all requirements. Above all, we value intelligence, creativity and Founder Potential.

Especially if you recognise yourself below:

  • You can’t wait to start your own company (or your next one)
  • You are a pragmatic optimist on a mission to tackle climate change
  • You are outcome focused and action oriented - you make things happen
  • You are a great communicator - you can convince others to follow you
  • You love to break down ambitious goals into actionable milestones
  • You understand that innovation starts with people - not ideas

What We Offer

As Co-Founder and CEO you will partner with two Marble Founders in Residence who have been developing this project and will take the CSO and CTO role. You will have the opportunity to meet both of them before making any big commitment of course!

We offer (among other things)

  • A €3,000 monthly allowance during your participation in the programme
  • A €250,000 pre-seed investment on startup creation, if you are successful. You and your team will own 80% of the company at incorporation.
  • Full-stack support in our venture creation programme Mentorship and guidance at every step of the way Hands-on support across technology and market research, landing interviews with experts and customers, techno economic modelling, roadmap and scaleup strategy, sourcing your future co-founders and advisors, and more Access to an unparalleled network across science, industry, talent, investors, mentors, and other climate deeptech founders Access to our research insights, knowledge base and curated resources Weekly check-ins, work sessions in our Paris HQ (or remote) and continuous peer learning with other programme participants
  • Seed Fundraising support after the programme. Introductions to the best seed investors and help with term sheet negotiation.
  • Founder Visa sponsorship if you wish to relocate to France. Remote participation would a challenge, but we’re open to finding different partnership formats.

How to Apply

We are looking for the best candidate - so you are welcome to apply as soon as possible.

➡️ Apply Here

We actively welcome candidates of all backgrounds, gender identities and perspectives. We believe our work is strengthened when we bring together people with different lived experiences, cultures and ways of thinking.

Studies have shown that under-represented candidates are less likely to apply unless they feel they meet every single qualification. If you are excited about the opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly - we encourage you to apply anyways.

We are committed to a diverse, inclusive and mission-driven Founder community.

FAQs

For a full list of FAQs, please visit our website.

Marble is an equal opportunity employer.